1 00:00:13,260 --> 00:00:16,840 Welcome to the TAB this morning, glad to 2 00:00:16,840 --> 00:00:19,680 have you with us, saying to come to 3 00:00:19,680 --> 00:00:21,740 you at again a very critical time. 4 00:00:23,840 --> 00:00:26,720 We pray for your blessing to be upon 5 00:00:26,720 --> 00:00:28,860 our service here and as later on we 6 00:00:29,820 --> 00:00:34,060 think of the gulf and the possible cessation 7 00:00:34,060 --> 00:00:38,160 of conflicts, again Lord we just ask for 8 00:00:38,680 --> 00:00:42,420 your wisdom and your power to be released 9 00:00:42,420 --> 00:00:43,800 amongst the children of men. 10 00:00:45,100 --> 00:00:49,020 Now father we pray for a special anointing 11 00:00:49,020 --> 00:00:53,300 upon each member of our congregation here, bless 12 00:00:53,300 --> 00:00:57,300 our boys and girls, our parents, our older 13 00:00:57,300 --> 00:01:00,480 friends, may this be a great family service 14 00:01:00,480 --> 00:01:02,940 for Jesus' sake, amen. 15 00:01:03,700 --> 00:01:07,460 Let's stand and sing, not what's up on 16 00:01:07,460 --> 00:01:09,820 the board here, break thou the bread of 17 00:01:09,820 --> 00:01:12,980 life dear Lord to me as thou didst 18 00:01:12,980 --> 00:01:17,520 break the bread beside the sea. 19 00:01:29,940 --> 00:03:29,710 We'll have 20 00:03:29,710 --> 00:03:33,370 the first one now, needs your attention because 21 00:03:33,370 --> 00:03:36,770 it's a historical passage which ought to be 22 00:03:36,770 --> 00:03:39,430 read before we come to the passage from 23 00:03:39,430 --> 00:03:42,250 the New Testament in order to shed light 24 00:03:42,250 --> 00:03:43,710 on the latter reading. 25 00:03:48,010 --> 00:03:51,110 The first reading is from Isaiah chapter 22. 26 00:03:58,200 --> 00:04:01,040 This is what the Lord, the Lord Almighty 27 00:04:01,040 --> 00:04:05,240 says, go say to this steward, to Shebna 28 00:04:05,240 --> 00:04:07,560 who is in charge of the palace, what 29 00:04:07,560 --> 00:04:09,520 are you doing here and who gave you 30 00:04:09,520 --> 00:04:11,700 permission to cut out a grave for yourself 31 00:04:11,700 --> 00:04:14,740 here, hewing your grave on the height and 32 00:04:14,740 --> 00:04:16,839 chiselling your resting place in the rock. 33 00:04:17,540 --> 00:04:20,100 Beware the Lord is about to take firm 34 00:04:20,100 --> 00:04:22,600 hold of you and hurl you away, oh 35 00:04:22,600 --> 00:04:23,500 you mighty man. 36 00:04:24,120 --> 00:04:26,100 He will roll you up tightly like a 37 00:04:26,100 --> 00:04:28,860 ball and throw you into a large country, 38 00:04:29,380 --> 00:04:32,160 there you will die and there your splendid 39 00:04:32,160 --> 00:04:35,420 chariots will remain, you disgrace to your master's 40 00:04:35,420 --> 00:04:35,700 house. 41 00:04:36,140 --> 00:04:38,900 I will dispose you from your office and 42 00:04:38,900 --> 00:04:40,620 you will be ousted from your position. 43 00:04:41,580 --> 00:04:43,900 In that day I will summon my servant 44 00:04:43,900 --> 00:04:45,860 Eliakim, son of Hilkiah. 45 00:04:46,200 --> 00:04:48,580 I will clothe him with your robe and 46 00:04:48,580 --> 00:04:51,120 fasten your sash around him and hand your 47 00:04:51,120 --> 00:04:52,440 authority over to him. 48 00:04:52,980 --> 00:04:54,740 He will be a father to those who 49 00:04:54,740 --> 00:04:57,020 live in Jerusalem and to the house of 50 00:04:57,020 --> 00:04:57,320 Judah. 51 00:04:57,940 --> 00:05:00,240 I will place on his shoulder the key 52 00:05:00,240 --> 00:05:02,960 to the house of David, what he opens 53 00:05:02,960 --> 00:05:05,460 no one can shut and what he shuts 54 00:05:05,460 --> 00:05:06,440 no one can open. 55 00:05:06,940 --> 00:05:08,860 I will drive him like a peg into 56 00:05:08,860 --> 00:05:11,380 a firm place, he will be a seat 57 00:05:11,380 --> 00:05:13,160 of honour for the house of his father. 58 00:05:14,040 --> 00:05:15,980 All the glory of his family will hang 59 00:05:15,980 --> 00:05:19,860 on him, its offspring and offshoots, all its 60 00:05:19,860 --> 00:05:22,040 lesser vessels from the bowls to all the 61 00:05:22,040 --> 00:05:22,460 jars. 62 00:05:22,920 --> 00:05:25,880 In that day declares the Lord Almighty, the 63 00:05:25,880 --> 00:05:28,360 peg will be driven into the firm place 64 00:05:28,360 --> 00:05:30,500 will give way, it will be sheared off 65 00:05:30,500 --> 00:05:33,760 and will fall and the load hanging on 66 00:05:33,760 --> 00:05:36,120 it will be cut down, the Lord has 67 00:05:36,120 --> 00:05:36,580 spoken. 68 00:05:39,560 --> 00:05:43,580 Galatians chapter 3 starting at verse 7 reading 69 00:05:43,580 --> 00:05:44,680 through to 13. 70 00:05:51,950 --> 00:05:54,990 Galatians 3 verse 7 to the church in 71 00:05:54,990 --> 00:05:55,730 Philadelphia. 72 00:05:56,930 --> 00:05:59,710 To the angel of the church in Philadelphia 73 00:05:59,710 --> 00:06:03,230 write, these are the words of him who 74 00:06:03,230 --> 00:06:06,330 is holy and true, who holds the key 75 00:06:06,330 --> 00:06:09,610 of David, what he opens no one can 76 00:06:09,610 --> 00:06:13,190 shut and what he shuts no one can 77 00:06:13,190 --> 00:06:13,530 open. 78 00:06:14,230 --> 00:06:18,090 I know your deeds, see I have placed 79 00:06:18,090 --> 00:06:20,610 before you an open door that no one 80 00:06:20,610 --> 00:06:23,870 can shut, I know that you have little 81 00:06:23,870 --> 00:06:27,810 strength, yet you have kept my word and 82 00:06:27,810 --> 00:06:29,450 have not denied my name. 83 00:06:30,510 --> 00:06:32,990 I will make those of you who are 84 00:06:32,990 --> 00:06:35,790 of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to 85 00:06:35,790 --> 00:06:38,470 be Jews though they are not but are 86 00:06:38,470 --> 00:06:41,590 liars, I will make them come and fall 87 00:06:41,590 --> 00:06:44,670 down at your feet and acknowledge that I 88 00:06:44,670 --> 00:06:45,950 have loved you. 89 00:06:47,270 --> 00:06:49,790 Since you have kept my command to endure 90 00:06:49,790 --> 00:06:53,450 patiently, I will also keep you from the 91 00:06:53,450 --> 00:06:55,990 hour of trial that is going to come 92 00:06:55,990 --> 00:06:59,310 upon the whole world to test those who 93 00:06:59,310 --> 00:07:00,310 live on the earth. 94 00:07:01,230 --> 00:07:05,410 I am coming soon, hold on to what 95 00:07:05,410 --> 00:07:08,370 you have so that no one will take 96 00:07:08,370 --> 00:07:09,050 your crown. 97 00:07:10,130 --> 00:07:13,250 Him who overcomes, I will make a pillar 98 00:07:13,250 --> 00:07:16,510 in the temple of my God, never again 99 00:07:16,510 --> 00:07:17,770 will he leave it. 100 00:07:18,570 --> 00:07:21,350 I will write on him the name of 101 00:07:21,350 --> 00:07:24,010 my God and the name of the city 102 00:07:24,010 --> 00:07:27,190 of my God, the new Jerusalem which is 103 00:07:27,190 --> 00:07:29,530 coming down out of heaven from my God 104 00:07:29,530 --> 00:07:33,310 and I will also write on him my 105 00:07:33,310 --> 00:07:34,010 new name. 106 00:07:34,810 --> 00:07:37,350 He who has an ear, let him hear 107 00:07:37,350 --> 00:07:39,950 what the Spirit says to the churches. 108 00:07:48,980 --> 00:07:51,080 I'd be glad if you'd open your Bibles 109 00:07:51,080 --> 00:07:56,960 to Revelation and chapter three. 110 00:08:10,110 --> 00:08:15,690 Again just a couple of verses from the 111 00:08:15,690 --> 00:08:19,110 seventh and eighth of this chapter. 112 00:08:21,420 --> 00:08:23,420 These are the words of him who is 113 00:08:23,420 --> 00:08:26,420 holy and true, who holds the key of 114 00:08:26,420 --> 00:08:26,780 David. 115 00:08:27,420 --> 00:08:31,039 What he opens no one can shut and 116 00:08:31,039 --> 00:08:36,159 what he shuts no one can open. 117 00:08:39,010 --> 00:08:44,010 One of the most nonsensical statements that sometimes 118 00:08:44,010 --> 00:08:48,490 I hear is that Worthing Tabernacle is Tony 119 00:08:48,490 --> 00:08:49,770 Sargent's church. 120 00:08:50,850 --> 00:08:54,630 It is not, never has been, never will 121 00:08:54,630 --> 00:08:54,990 be. 122 00:08:56,610 --> 00:09:01,850 Worthing Tabernacle is a weak fragment of the 123 00:09:01,850 --> 00:09:06,250 body of Christ here in southeast England. 124 00:09:07,490 --> 00:09:11,930 The church belongs to the Lord Jesus. 125 00:09:13,110 --> 00:09:15,530 He is the one who is its head. 126 00:09:16,510 --> 00:09:18,050 He is the one who through the Holy 127 00:09:18,050 --> 00:09:22,530 Spirit controls all of its affairs. 128 00:09:23,370 --> 00:09:29,070 The church's one foundation is Jesus Christ her 129 00:09:29,070 --> 00:09:32,190 Lord and it is absurd for us to 130 00:09:32,190 --> 00:09:34,050 think of anything but that. 131 00:09:35,090 --> 00:09:39,550 Our Lord Jesus has been given all authority 132 00:09:39,550 --> 00:09:41,130 within the church. 133 00:09:41,550 --> 00:09:45,710 In Ephesians and chapter one you discover towards 134 00:09:45,710 --> 00:09:51,050 the end of that great epistle the apostle 135 00:09:51,050 --> 00:09:57,230 inferring, indeed declaring most definitely that our Savior 136 00:09:57,230 --> 00:10:00,370 is indeed the head of the church. 137 00:10:00,470 --> 00:10:03,890 God has appointed him, verse 22 of Ephesians 138 00:10:03,890 --> 00:10:05,770 1, God has appointed him to be head 139 00:10:05,770 --> 00:10:08,030 over everything for the church which is his 140 00:10:08,030 --> 00:10:08,410 body. 141 00:10:08,810 --> 00:10:12,510 The fullness of him who fills everything in 142 00:10:12,510 --> 00:10:13,910 every way. 143 00:10:15,410 --> 00:10:19,870 Someone has drawn up a poster that has 144 00:10:19,870 --> 00:10:23,270 been used outside several churches and the poster 145 00:10:23,270 --> 00:10:28,670 reads ch dot dot ch and underneath is 146 00:10:28,670 --> 00:10:31,970 the question what's missing and the pun is 147 00:10:31,970 --> 00:10:33,090 you are. 148 00:10:33,930 --> 00:10:36,130 Well let's do a revision of the poster 149 00:10:36,130 --> 00:10:41,790 ch dot dot ch what's wrong and the 150 00:10:41,790 --> 00:10:44,210 answer is you are. 151 00:10:44,890 --> 00:10:48,470 For within every expression of the local church 152 00:10:48,470 --> 00:10:51,190 from its pastors to its elders to its 153 00:10:51,190 --> 00:10:56,370 deacons to its youth leaders to important church 154 00:10:56,370 --> 00:10:59,570 members to ordinary people who come in from 155 00:10:59,570 --> 00:11:01,710 time to time on a more casual basis 156 00:11:01,710 --> 00:11:03,910 there is something wrong with all of us 157 00:11:03,910 --> 00:11:06,670 and therefore we look to the head of 158 00:11:06,670 --> 00:11:11,110 the church to write what is wrong. 159 00:11:12,210 --> 00:11:14,050 The church is a community of people who 160 00:11:14,050 --> 00:11:14,750 have failed. 161 00:11:15,310 --> 00:11:16,850 I hope you realize that that's the one 162 00:11:16,850 --> 00:11:20,090 common denominator that binds us together at Worthing 163 00:11:20,090 --> 00:11:20,670 Tabernacle. 164 00:11:20,810 --> 00:11:22,390 We are a collection of failures. 165 00:11:23,550 --> 00:11:26,990 We draw sustenance and succor and hope from 166 00:11:26,990 --> 00:11:29,990 our Lord Jesus the one who who never 167 00:11:29,990 --> 00:11:30,970 failed. 168 00:11:32,210 --> 00:11:34,350 Well here is the Apostle John he's an 169 00:11:34,350 --> 00:11:37,110 old man he's on the Isle of Patmos 170 00:11:37,110 --> 00:11:39,770 as has been so graphically described by Tim 171 00:11:39,770 --> 00:11:43,130 and Hugh in previous addresses from this from 172 00:11:43,130 --> 00:11:43,770 this book. 173 00:11:44,550 --> 00:11:47,390 The Apostle John as he comes towards the 174 00:11:47,390 --> 00:11:49,250 end of his life he has this great 175 00:11:49,250 --> 00:11:53,450 vision tremendous insight into the purposes of God 176 00:11:53,450 --> 00:11:55,430 and he sees in front of him those 177 00:11:55,430 --> 00:11:59,630 seven churches that he particularly has responsibility for 178 00:11:59,630 --> 00:12:02,750 and those seven churches as brought out by 179 00:12:02,750 --> 00:12:05,350 Tim and Hugh quite accurately in their exposition 180 00:12:05,350 --> 00:12:08,450 of scripture stand for the church of Jesus 181 00:12:08,450 --> 00:12:11,350 Christ throughout all ages. 182 00:12:12,290 --> 00:12:15,450 These churches do not just refer to a 183 00:12:15,450 --> 00:12:17,530 specific period of history. 184 00:12:18,530 --> 00:12:22,570 There is that of the church of Laodicea 185 00:12:22,570 --> 00:12:28,850 reproduced in in every local fellowship and here 186 00:12:28,850 --> 00:12:32,450 the the Apostle John now catches a glimpse 187 00:12:32,450 --> 00:12:37,650 of the sixth church the church in Philadelphia 188 00:12:37,650 --> 00:12:41,390 and there are concerns expressed by the Lord 189 00:12:41,390 --> 00:12:43,210 Jesus for this church. 190 00:12:43,370 --> 00:12:45,310 In one sense it's a good church it's 191 00:12:45,310 --> 00:12:48,350 the only church that no criticisms are directed 192 00:12:48,350 --> 00:12:52,530 to as the message leaves the heavenly realm 193 00:12:52,530 --> 00:12:55,090 and is conveyed to the angel of the 194 00:12:55,090 --> 00:12:55,750 church. 195 00:12:56,730 --> 00:12:59,130 I wonder what the Lord Jesus thinks about 196 00:12:59,130 --> 00:13:01,850 the church at Worthing Tabernacle. 197 00:13:02,850 --> 00:13:04,910 I sometimes suggested in a sort of semi 198 00:13:04,910 --> 00:13:08,290 humorous fashion that we ought to change the 199 00:13:08,290 --> 00:13:09,310 name of the tab. 200 00:13:10,790 --> 00:13:13,290 The option that I gave you some some 201 00:13:13,290 --> 00:13:15,090 while ago was not taken up with any 202 00:13:15,090 --> 00:13:16,190 degree of enthusiasm. 203 00:13:17,550 --> 00:13:19,670 It really was triggered off by a little 204 00:13:19,670 --> 00:13:22,790 girl in Latin America referring to churches in 205 00:13:22,790 --> 00:13:25,110 that continent as being places where people came 206 00:13:25,110 --> 00:13:25,930 to praise the Lord. 207 00:13:26,010 --> 00:13:28,330 So she called the church God's singing house 208 00:13:28,330 --> 00:13:31,550 and there's a church in Los Angeles called 209 00:13:31,550 --> 00:13:32,750 Melody Land Center. 210 00:13:34,190 --> 00:13:37,050 Now if you don't want Melody Land Center 211 00:13:37,050 --> 00:13:39,270 here at the tab here's another suggestion. 212 00:13:40,850 --> 00:13:46,330 What about the church of brotherly love? 213 00:13:47,450 --> 00:13:50,830 Because that's basically what this church means in 214 00:13:50,830 --> 00:13:53,190 terms of at least the title of the 215 00:13:53,190 --> 00:13:55,190 city in which it was placed to the 216 00:13:55,190 --> 00:13:56,290 church in Philadelphia. 217 00:13:56,850 --> 00:13:58,930 It's accidental I don't want to read too 218 00:13:58,930 --> 00:13:59,750 much into it. 219 00:14:00,130 --> 00:14:02,470 It comes about this name as a result 220 00:14:02,470 --> 00:14:06,030 of the founder King Atollus and he was 221 00:14:06,030 --> 00:14:07,550 very concerned about his brother. 222 00:14:08,130 --> 00:14:10,690 In fact he was nicknamed brother lover. 223 00:14:11,490 --> 00:14:12,390 Isn't that rather nice? 224 00:14:13,110 --> 00:14:15,590 He loved his brother so much that the 225 00:14:15,590 --> 00:14:18,730 affection he had for his brother gave him 226 00:14:18,730 --> 00:14:19,770 his nickname. 227 00:14:20,390 --> 00:14:22,770 Now one occasion when he built what actually 228 00:14:22,770 --> 00:14:25,530 was the newest city amongst this bunch of 229 00:14:25,530 --> 00:14:29,310 seven he named it after his brother Philadelphia. 230 00:14:30,050 --> 00:14:33,250 Philio to love, Adelphoi the plural for brothers. 231 00:14:33,630 --> 00:14:34,910 Brothers who love. 232 00:14:36,430 --> 00:14:40,530 What a wonderful way to describe any church. 233 00:14:41,130 --> 00:14:43,230 The place where brothers, I use that in 234 00:14:43,230 --> 00:14:46,550 its generic sense involving the ladies as well. 235 00:14:46,870 --> 00:14:50,510 The place where people love one another. 236 00:14:51,670 --> 00:14:55,190 The Apostle John was an old man and 237 00:14:55,190 --> 00:14:57,170 whatever people may tell you to the contrary 238 00:14:57,170 --> 00:15:01,570 the Christian gospel does not stop unfortunately the 239 00:15:01,570 --> 00:15:04,030 effects of the aging process. 240 00:15:04,610 --> 00:15:09,910 Sometimes or not always as age increases mental 241 00:15:09,910 --> 00:15:13,910 acumen and skill is not quite the same 242 00:15:13,910 --> 00:15:17,270 and it's reckoned of the Apostle John that 243 00:15:17,270 --> 00:15:18,730 towards the end of his life all he 244 00:15:18,730 --> 00:15:20,490 could say in terms of a sermon was 245 00:15:20,490 --> 00:15:22,610 little children love one another. 246 00:15:23,310 --> 00:15:25,330 Little children love one another. 247 00:15:26,230 --> 00:15:27,870 And maybe that's what the Apostle John through 248 00:15:27,870 --> 00:15:29,790 the spirit would say to us at Worthing 249 00:15:29,790 --> 00:15:30,870 Tab this morning. 250 00:15:31,330 --> 00:15:33,670 Love one another. 251 00:15:34,630 --> 00:15:36,870 If you don't want the Melody Land Centre 252 00:15:36,870 --> 00:15:42,750 how about the community of the brothers who 253 00:15:42,750 --> 00:15:43,270 love. 254 00:15:44,150 --> 00:15:47,990 Well we're introduced to the Lord of the 255 00:15:47,990 --> 00:15:51,950 church once again in these opening verses and 256 00:15:51,950 --> 00:15:55,150 dissimilar from all the other introductory comments that 257 00:15:55,150 --> 00:15:56,690 you get in the Church of Ephesus and 258 00:15:56,690 --> 00:15:58,970 the Church of Pergamon, Church of Thyatira and 259 00:15:58,970 --> 00:15:59,910 the Church at Sardis. 260 00:16:00,130 --> 00:16:03,630 There is no back reference to that remarkable 261 00:16:03,630 --> 00:16:07,290 vision in the first chapter when you get 262 00:16:07,290 --> 00:16:09,350 such a lovely description. 263 00:16:09,590 --> 00:16:13,590 The second of two descriptions of the physique 264 00:16:13,590 --> 00:16:16,450 of our Lord Jesus Christ in the word 265 00:16:16,450 --> 00:16:16,890 of God. 266 00:16:17,030 --> 00:16:18,090 There's no backtracking. 267 00:16:18,710 --> 00:16:20,750 There are no symbolical words. 268 00:16:21,290 --> 00:16:24,050 Rather the introduction as we're told about the 269 00:16:24,050 --> 00:16:26,650 one who directs a message to the church 270 00:16:26,650 --> 00:16:29,210 where people ought to be loving one another 271 00:16:29,210 --> 00:16:30,030 is this. 272 00:16:30,170 --> 00:16:32,510 These are the words of him who is 273 00:16:32,510 --> 00:16:34,810 holy and true. 274 00:16:35,370 --> 00:16:38,610 We're told who he is and what he 275 00:16:38,610 --> 00:16:39,190 has. 276 00:16:39,910 --> 00:16:40,610 Who is he? 277 00:16:41,630 --> 00:16:43,130 Well he is the Holy One. 278 00:16:44,090 --> 00:16:46,090 There is no one else who can have 279 00:16:46,090 --> 00:16:48,750 that description besides our Lord Jesus. 280 00:16:49,950 --> 00:16:51,810 That holy thing within you. 281 00:16:51,890 --> 00:16:54,530 You remember the remarks made to Mary when 282 00:16:54,530 --> 00:16:58,670 recognition is given of her condition being with 283 00:16:58,670 --> 00:16:59,150 child. 284 00:16:59,290 --> 00:17:02,910 That holy thing, that holy child, our Lord 285 00:17:02,910 --> 00:17:03,890 Jesus Christ. 286 00:17:04,869 --> 00:17:06,730 Not only is he holy in a world 287 00:17:06,730 --> 00:17:11,770 of unholiness but he's true truth to quote 288 00:17:11,770 --> 00:17:14,829 Francis Schaeffer in a world where there's a 289 00:17:14,829 --> 00:17:17,450 lot of lie and a lot of deception. 290 00:17:17,810 --> 00:17:19,990 These are the words of him who is 291 00:17:19,990 --> 00:17:21,609 holy and true. 292 00:17:21,930 --> 00:17:23,369 This is who the Lord of the church 293 00:17:23,369 --> 00:17:23,970 is. 294 00:17:25,369 --> 00:17:26,970 But what does the Lord of the church 295 00:17:26,970 --> 00:17:27,530 have? 296 00:17:28,550 --> 00:17:32,470 Well he holds the key of David. 297 00:17:33,210 --> 00:17:36,370 He holds the key of David. 298 00:17:36,510 --> 00:17:38,870 I deliberately got Anne to read to us 299 00:17:38,870 --> 00:17:41,970 from Isaiah chapter 22 because that gives the 300 00:17:41,970 --> 00:17:45,770 Old Testament back cloth for this reference. 301 00:17:47,090 --> 00:17:48,350 In those days there was a man who 302 00:17:48,350 --> 00:17:51,810 was going a little bit beyond his normal 303 00:17:51,810 --> 00:17:53,350 sphere of responsibility. 304 00:17:53,850 --> 00:17:57,610 He wanted a grander position in Jerusalem and 305 00:17:57,610 --> 00:18:01,090 as a result Shebna was tossed aside in 306 00:18:01,090 --> 00:18:02,330 the purposes of God. 307 00:18:02,650 --> 00:18:04,850 He was hurled and the Hebrew word is 308 00:18:04,850 --> 00:18:07,530 the same as you would use for sending 309 00:18:07,530 --> 00:18:09,450 a discus away from yourself. 310 00:18:09,710 --> 00:18:12,810 He was hurled into Babylon and a more 311 00:18:12,810 --> 00:18:15,970 faithful steward by the name of Elkayim was 312 00:18:15,970 --> 00:18:19,290 brought to become the one who would take 313 00:18:19,290 --> 00:18:22,130 the key of David's palace. 314 00:18:23,150 --> 00:18:25,370 Now when you had the key in Old 315 00:18:25,370 --> 00:18:28,130 Testament times, the key of a palace, not 316 00:18:28,130 --> 00:18:29,930 only was the key a very big thing 317 00:18:29,930 --> 00:18:32,170 but the responsibility was enormous. 318 00:18:32,720 --> 00:18:35,290 It meant to say that with the exception 319 00:18:35,290 --> 00:18:37,690 of the king you were the most important 320 00:18:37,690 --> 00:18:37,990 man. 321 00:18:38,110 --> 00:18:40,970 You had the greatest influence of anyone in 322 00:18:40,970 --> 00:18:45,090 the country and that was what happened in 323 00:18:45,090 --> 00:18:47,790 the experience of the man referred to in 324 00:18:47,790 --> 00:18:48,870 Isaiah 22. 325 00:18:49,890 --> 00:18:54,150 But here the message of the church or 326 00:18:54,150 --> 00:18:56,710 the message directed to the church at Philadelphia 327 00:18:56,710 --> 00:19:00,650 comes from one who holds the key of 328 00:19:00,650 --> 00:19:01,310 David. 329 00:19:02,390 --> 00:19:05,010 David was the greatest king of Israel not 330 00:19:05,010 --> 00:19:05,350 so? 331 00:19:06,550 --> 00:19:09,970 When our Lord Jesus was born we are 332 00:19:09,970 --> 00:19:15,150 told that invested in him was the authority 333 00:19:15,150 --> 00:19:15,890 of David. 334 00:19:16,650 --> 00:19:20,350 There would never cease to be a descendant 335 00:19:20,350 --> 00:19:24,950 of David on the throne and our Lord 336 00:19:24,950 --> 00:19:30,010 Jesus comes into the world and he assumes 337 00:19:30,010 --> 00:19:33,370 because it is his by right the authority 338 00:19:33,370 --> 00:19:34,250 of David. 339 00:19:34,870 --> 00:19:38,170 Not just over one tract of land in 340 00:19:38,170 --> 00:19:40,430 Palestine but around the world. 341 00:19:41,210 --> 00:19:43,130 For the purposes of God in the Old 342 00:19:43,130 --> 00:19:47,130 Testament have now been internationalized and the children 343 00:19:47,130 --> 00:19:50,230 of God are not just believing ethnic Jews 344 00:19:50,230 --> 00:19:52,730 but all who have expressed like faith as 345 00:19:52,730 --> 00:19:55,910 father Abraham did in the Lord God. 346 00:19:56,830 --> 00:19:59,050 And as far as these people are concerned, 347 00:19:59,770 --> 00:20:01,630 as far as the affairs of this world 348 00:20:01,630 --> 00:20:05,070 and its future destiny goes, the one who 349 00:20:05,070 --> 00:20:07,850 directs a message to the church at Philadelphia 350 00:20:07,850 --> 00:20:14,110 is the one from whom his girdles drops, 351 00:20:14,370 --> 00:20:18,370 hangs the key of David. 352 00:20:18,810 --> 00:20:21,550 What he opens no one can shut. 353 00:20:22,310 --> 00:20:26,890 What he shuts no one can open. 354 00:20:27,730 --> 00:20:29,810 In other words the one who is in 355 00:20:29,810 --> 00:20:36,550 charge of the church has ultimate authority in 356 00:20:36,550 --> 00:20:37,830 this world. 357 00:20:38,390 --> 00:20:41,710 Our Lord God saw fit to ensure that 358 00:20:41,710 --> 00:20:45,790 Pharaoh promoted to the task of superintending his 359 00:20:45,790 --> 00:20:49,090 house and controlling the whole of the Egyptian 360 00:20:49,090 --> 00:20:51,350 empire Joseph. 361 00:20:52,190 --> 00:20:53,850 He was suitably qualified. 362 00:20:54,730 --> 00:20:57,030 What we are told in these verses that 363 00:20:57,030 --> 00:21:00,390 our Lord Jesus Christ has been given all 364 00:21:00,390 --> 00:21:04,410 the authority over the household of God. 365 00:21:04,990 --> 00:21:06,850 You get references to that in Hebrews. 366 00:21:07,310 --> 00:21:09,490 You get further references in Ephesians. 367 00:21:09,690 --> 00:21:12,750 One I've quoted, our Lord Jesus having all 368 00:21:12,750 --> 00:21:19,310 power, all authority, all responsibility, it belongs to 369 00:21:19,310 --> 00:21:19,590 him. 370 00:21:20,070 --> 00:21:23,370 Brothers and sisters sometimes I argue we have 371 00:21:23,370 --> 00:21:28,630 too small a conception of the power of 372 00:21:28,630 --> 00:21:29,930 our Lord Jesus Christ. 373 00:21:30,250 --> 00:21:32,790 So we're told here as a message is 374 00:21:32,790 --> 00:21:36,550 directed to the church at Philadelphia that the 375 00:21:36,550 --> 00:21:41,010 one who is in control is he who 376 00:21:41,010 --> 00:21:44,890 is holy and true and holds the key 377 00:21:44,890 --> 00:21:46,370 of David. 378 00:21:47,190 --> 00:21:49,450 How does he hold that key? 379 00:21:50,010 --> 00:21:51,630 How does he use the key? 380 00:21:52,450 --> 00:21:56,090 Well we're given further information as we move 381 00:21:56,090 --> 00:21:57,870 into the eighth verse. 382 00:21:58,570 --> 00:21:59,670 I know your deeds. 383 00:22:00,370 --> 00:22:02,250 See I have placed before you an open 384 00:22:02,250 --> 00:22:03,810 door that no one can shut. 385 00:22:04,370 --> 00:22:06,090 I know that you have little strength. 386 00:22:06,950 --> 00:22:09,790 There are three ways in which the Lord 387 00:22:09,790 --> 00:22:14,190 of the church at Philadelphia who holds the 388 00:22:14,190 --> 00:22:18,050 key, who has all authority, turns that key 389 00:22:18,050 --> 00:22:21,910 to the advantage of the members of that 390 00:22:21,910 --> 00:22:22,550 church. 391 00:22:23,090 --> 00:22:28,250 And he does so by creating unbelievable opportunities 392 00:22:28,250 --> 00:22:29,310 for ministry. 393 00:22:29,870 --> 00:22:30,790 Did you hear that? 394 00:22:31,430 --> 00:22:37,030 By creating unbelievable opportunities for ministry. 395 00:22:38,910 --> 00:22:44,030 See I have placed before you an open 396 00:22:44,030 --> 00:22:44,570 door. 397 00:22:45,990 --> 00:22:48,570 Now that's a surprising assertion. 398 00:22:49,650 --> 00:22:52,190 I think you could put an exclamation mark 399 00:22:52,190 --> 00:22:54,210 after the verb see. 400 00:22:55,110 --> 00:22:57,110 This is something that is quite astonishing. 401 00:22:58,230 --> 00:23:00,730 You see the church at Philadelphia did not 402 00:23:00,730 --> 00:23:02,610 seem to have the potential to be an 403 00:23:03,310 --> 00:23:07,230 evangelistic church, to be engaged in great missionary 404 00:23:07,230 --> 00:23:08,090 enterprise. 405 00:23:09,050 --> 00:23:11,050 But when they're connected to the Lord who 406 00:23:11,050 --> 00:23:12,830 is the head of the church, he who 407 00:23:12,830 --> 00:23:15,490 is holy and true, he who has the 408 00:23:15,490 --> 00:23:18,930 keys, the keys of death and hell, the 409 00:23:18,930 --> 00:23:21,430 keys of every situation, he who is the 410 00:23:21,430 --> 00:23:25,230 Lord of all circumstances, when he turns the 411 00:23:25,230 --> 00:23:27,930 key on behalf of even a feeble group 412 00:23:27,930 --> 00:23:31,350 of Christian people he can cause them to 413 00:23:31,350 --> 00:23:35,290 do excellent service, tremendous exploits. 414 00:23:35,950 --> 00:23:39,990 We do not have a great enough conception 415 00:23:39,990 --> 00:23:43,110 of what our Lord Jesus can do for 416 00:23:43,110 --> 00:23:47,570 a local church as an entity, or for 417 00:23:47,570 --> 00:23:53,290 individuals within that church as ordinary Christians. 418 00:23:54,470 --> 00:23:59,550 I have set before you an open door. 419 00:24:00,450 --> 00:24:04,050 The Apostle Paul knew something about open doors 420 00:24:04,050 --> 00:24:04,810 didn't he? 421 00:24:05,310 --> 00:24:07,950 After all when he's reporting back to the 422 00:24:07,950 --> 00:24:09,890 church at Antioch, which was very much a 423 00:24:09,890 --> 00:24:12,850 missionary church, he says towards the end of 424 00:24:12,850 --> 00:24:15,810 the 14th chapter as he rehearses all that 425 00:24:15,810 --> 00:24:19,290 he has experienced, on arriving there they gathered 426 00:24:19,290 --> 00:24:22,650 verse 27, Acts 14, Paul speaking or the 427 00:24:22,650 --> 00:24:24,730 description is of Paul and his colleagues, on 428 00:24:24,730 --> 00:24:27,430 arriving there they gathered the church together and 429 00:24:27,430 --> 00:24:29,890 reported all that God had done through them 430 00:24:29,890 --> 00:24:32,670 and how he had opened the door of 431 00:24:32,670 --> 00:24:35,530 faith to the Gentiles. 432 00:24:36,490 --> 00:24:38,510 And again when you go to 1 Corinthians 433 00:24:38,510 --> 00:24:42,070 and chapter 16, the Apostle is rehearsing the 434 00:24:42,070 --> 00:24:46,710 sovereign grace of God upon his ministry and 435 00:24:46,710 --> 00:24:49,530 he tells us in the 8th and 9th 436 00:24:49,530 --> 00:24:52,270 verses, but I will stay on at Ephesus 437 00:24:52,270 --> 00:24:55,930 until Pentecost because a great door for effective 438 00:24:55,930 --> 00:24:58,750 work has opened to me and there are 439 00:24:58,750 --> 00:25:00,890 many who oppose me. 440 00:25:01,850 --> 00:25:05,450 And then when he's talking to the church 441 00:25:05,450 --> 00:25:10,910 in Colossae about his evangelistic exploits again in 442 00:25:10,910 --> 00:25:14,650 the 4th chapter and in the 8th verse 443 00:25:14,650 --> 00:25:19,850 or thereabouts he makes reference to, the third 444 00:25:19,850 --> 00:25:22,550 verse it is, he makes reference to God 445 00:25:22,550 --> 00:25:26,550 swinging open a door of opportunity and he 446 00:25:26,550 --> 00:25:31,050 prays for even greater entrances for the gospel. 447 00:25:31,550 --> 00:25:34,730 Pray for us too that God may open 448 00:25:34,730 --> 00:25:37,850 a door for our message so that we 449 00:25:37,850 --> 00:25:41,830 may proclaim the mystery of Christ for which 450 00:25:41,830 --> 00:25:44,590 I am in chains. 451 00:25:45,110 --> 00:25:48,690 I wonder if John was surprised as he 452 00:25:48,690 --> 00:25:52,270 found himself there on the isle of Patmos 453 00:25:53,110 --> 00:25:57,230 to hear that the church at Philadelphia was 454 00:25:57,230 --> 00:25:59,810 a church that was being used by the 455 00:25:59,810 --> 00:26:05,610 Lord in missionary and evangelistic enterprise and yet 456 00:26:05,610 --> 00:26:07,710 the Lord was aware of its condition at 457 00:26:07,710 --> 00:26:08,530 the natural level. 458 00:26:09,090 --> 00:26:11,170 I know your deeds he says in verse 459 00:26:11,170 --> 00:26:14,510 8, he goes on in the latter part 460 00:26:14,510 --> 00:26:16,190 of that verse, I know that you have 461 00:26:16,190 --> 00:26:19,730 little strength yet you have kept my word 462 00:26:19,730 --> 00:26:22,850 and you have not denied my name. 463 00:26:24,530 --> 00:26:30,370 Listen to me, weakness, spiritual weakness at one 464 00:26:30,370 --> 00:26:34,950 level is no disqualification for you in the 465 00:26:34,950 --> 00:26:35,870 service of God. 466 00:26:37,800 --> 00:26:39,780 Once again I take you to the Lord 467 00:26:39,780 --> 00:26:43,520 of the church, this is not my church, 468 00:26:44,080 --> 00:26:47,120 this is not the eldest church, this is 469 00:26:47,120 --> 00:26:48,540 the church of the Lord Jesus. 470 00:26:49,880 --> 00:26:53,920 We so to speak plug into him, here 471 00:26:53,920 --> 00:26:56,660 we are with little strength, here he is 472 00:26:56,660 --> 00:27:00,440 with absolute authority, to him has all power 473 00:27:00,440 --> 00:27:02,860 being given, he says this in Matthew 28 474 00:27:02,860 --> 00:27:04,600 doesn't he, he says it in so many 475 00:27:04,600 --> 00:27:07,560 other places, all authority is his. 476 00:27:07,840 --> 00:27:09,320 So if he is the Lord of the 477 00:27:09,320 --> 00:27:12,120 church and here is this small group of 478 00:27:12,120 --> 00:27:15,740 inadequate people in Philadelphia and they plug into 479 00:27:15,740 --> 00:27:19,140 his power, then when he swings open the 480 00:27:19,140 --> 00:27:22,960 door of opportunity they can go through and 481 00:27:22,960 --> 00:27:27,260 in their weakness they can become valiant in 482 00:27:27,260 --> 00:27:28,740 their service for the Lord Jesus. 483 00:27:29,380 --> 00:27:32,180 I tell you this, God has always used 484 00:27:32,180 --> 00:27:34,780 weak men and women in his service, their 485 00:27:34,780 --> 00:27:38,620 greatest problem is the problem of self-sufficiency. 486 00:27:40,700 --> 00:27:42,540 Here is the apostle Paul and he's writing 487 00:27:42,540 --> 00:27:44,680 to the Corinthians in the first epistle, the 488 00:27:44,680 --> 00:27:48,420 27th verse, but God chose the foolish things 489 00:27:48,420 --> 00:27:49,940 of the world to shame the wise, God 490 00:27:49,940 --> 00:27:51,800 chose the weak things of the world to 491 00:27:51,800 --> 00:27:54,100 shame the strong, he chose the lowly things 492 00:27:54,100 --> 00:27:56,640 of this world and the despised things and 493 00:27:56,640 --> 00:27:59,460 the things that are not to nullify the 494 00:27:59,460 --> 00:28:00,400 things that are. 495 00:28:00,800 --> 00:28:01,060 Why? 496 00:28:01,240 --> 00:28:02,460 So that no one can boast. 497 00:28:03,380 --> 00:28:04,860 Here is the apostle Paul later on and 498 00:28:04,860 --> 00:28:06,600 he's writing again his second letter to the 499 00:28:06,600 --> 00:28:10,160 Corinthians, he's talking about his human frailty, he 500 00:28:10,160 --> 00:28:12,120 asks the Lord to deliver him of this 501 00:28:12,120 --> 00:28:14,200 of this thorn in his flesh and God 502 00:28:14,200 --> 00:28:15,360 stays his hand. 503 00:28:15,940 --> 00:28:17,760 The apostle wants to know why, why is 504 00:28:17,760 --> 00:28:19,220 it that you won't take away this thing 505 00:28:19,220 --> 00:28:21,120 which is such an obstacle to my ministry 506 00:28:21,860 --> 00:28:25,100 and the Lord says my grace is sufficient 507 00:28:25,100 --> 00:28:29,600 for you, your weakness will be perfected in 508 00:28:30,540 --> 00:28:31,660 my strength. 509 00:28:32,360 --> 00:28:36,680 It's always the way in the church of 510 00:28:36,680 --> 00:28:40,020 those who love one another, that however weak 511 00:28:40,020 --> 00:28:43,180 they are, depending on the fact that they 512 00:28:43,180 --> 00:28:46,500 remain true to the word of God and 513 00:28:46,500 --> 00:28:48,960 verse eight, do not deny the name of 514 00:28:48,960 --> 00:28:53,000 the Lord, he can take their utter inadequacy 515 00:28:53,660 --> 00:28:55,760 and like the handful of loaves and fishes 516 00:28:55,760 --> 00:28:58,440 the young boy gave the disciples, it can 517 00:28:58,440 --> 00:29:00,900 be multiplied to the reaching of many many 518 00:29:00,900 --> 00:29:02,060 people with the gospel. 519 00:29:03,080 --> 00:29:04,300 Don't you think that's wonderful? 520 00:29:05,240 --> 00:29:09,220 Here's William Carey, the old cobbler from Leicester 521 00:29:09,220 --> 00:29:12,220 and he sets off with his demented wife 522 00:29:12,220 --> 00:29:15,360 who's so sick to the land of India 523 00:29:15,360 --> 00:29:18,580 and there he invests himself in the service 524 00:29:18,580 --> 00:29:20,760 of God, it's ridiculous, it's utterly absurd. 525 00:29:21,320 --> 00:29:24,780 Here's John Calvin with his emaciated body fleeing 526 00:29:24,780 --> 00:29:27,960 in Europe to France with everyone against him 527 00:29:27,960 --> 00:29:30,280 and yet God can take this man and 528 00:29:30,280 --> 00:29:33,140 use him to move a continent out of 529 00:29:33,140 --> 00:29:34,600 his strength, no it's never out of his 530 00:29:34,600 --> 00:29:37,540 strength, out of his weakness and it's out 531 00:29:37,540 --> 00:29:39,940 of your weakness, it's out of my total 532 00:29:39,940 --> 00:29:42,800 inadequacy that the Lord of the church can 533 00:29:42,800 --> 00:29:43,940 achieve his purposes. 534 00:29:45,120 --> 00:29:48,980 He does so by creating unbelievable opportunities for 535 00:29:48,980 --> 00:29:52,120 ministry, I argue he does so also by 536 00:29:52,120 --> 00:29:56,200 influencing the nerve centres of problem, by influencing 537 00:29:56,200 --> 00:29:58,280 the nerve centres of problems. 538 00:29:58,900 --> 00:30:00,840 Well there are problems aren't there that confront 539 00:30:00,840 --> 00:30:02,740 the local church, that confront individuals. 540 00:30:03,880 --> 00:30:05,600 Here in the ninth and in the tenth 541 00:30:05,600 --> 00:30:08,720 verses reference are made to difficulties that this 542 00:30:08,720 --> 00:30:10,280 church in Philadelphia had. 543 00:30:11,040 --> 00:30:13,500 There were those that the apostle describes as 544 00:30:13,500 --> 00:30:17,160 coming from the synagogue of Satan, these people 545 00:30:17,160 --> 00:30:21,440 who mounted a program of opposition and a 546 00:30:21,440 --> 00:30:25,940 little short of persecution towards the ordinary Christian 547 00:30:26,840 --> 00:30:29,520 and says the apostle don't feel that you're 548 00:30:29,520 --> 00:30:33,480 really at the whim of their malice, I 549 00:30:33,480 --> 00:30:34,540 will make those. 550 00:30:34,540 --> 00:30:36,380 Here is the Lord speaking not the apostle, 551 00:30:36,820 --> 00:30:38,600 I will make those who are of the 552 00:30:38,600 --> 00:30:40,480 synagogue of Satan who claim to be Jews 553 00:30:40,480 --> 00:30:42,500 though they're not but are liars, I will 554 00:30:42,500 --> 00:30:44,100 make them come and fall down at your 555 00:30:44,100 --> 00:30:44,460 feet. 556 00:30:45,440 --> 00:30:48,560 Now that's not an anti-semitic comment, remember 557 00:30:48,560 --> 00:30:51,260 that the one who's involved mainly in the 558 00:30:51,260 --> 00:30:53,240 book of Revelation is a Jew, John. 559 00:30:53,740 --> 00:30:56,220 The one who wrote the epistles, Paul is 560 00:30:56,220 --> 00:30:59,540 a Jew and again Peter they're Jews, this 561 00:30:59,540 --> 00:31:02,720 is no anti-Jewish comment but you see 562 00:31:02,720 --> 00:31:04,860 these Jewish theologians they're true to what the 563 00:31:04,860 --> 00:31:09,720 Lord Jesus taught when he turned around and 564 00:31:09,720 --> 00:31:12,980 poured out the invective that he sometimes could 565 00:31:12,980 --> 00:31:16,720 let loose on those who were becoming an 566 00:31:16,720 --> 00:31:18,220 obstacle for the gospel. 567 00:31:19,580 --> 00:31:22,740 He called the Pharisees in on one occasion 568 00:31:22,740 --> 00:31:26,160 you remember as though they were whited sepulchers 569 00:31:26,160 --> 00:31:27,660 full of dead men's bones. 570 00:31:28,880 --> 00:31:32,340 He said to some other Jewish antagonists you're 571 00:31:32,340 --> 00:31:34,180 not of your you're not of Abraham for 572 00:31:34,180 --> 00:31:36,280 if Abraham were your father you would believe 573 00:31:36,280 --> 00:31:38,680 what I am saying your father is the 574 00:31:38,680 --> 00:31:42,200 devil and on one very dramatic occasion he 575 00:31:42,200 --> 00:31:43,920 spins around and he addresses Peter. 576 00:31:44,920 --> 00:31:51,780 Peter who loved Jesus and with lazy language 577 00:31:51,780 --> 00:31:55,880 with unthought suggestion not carefully thought out says 578 00:31:55,880 --> 00:31:58,280 to Jesus don't go to the cross so 579 00:31:58,280 --> 00:32:00,040 Jesus turns around and he says get thee 580 00:32:00,040 --> 00:32:01,140 behind me certain man. 581 00:32:02,620 --> 00:32:04,580 Now there were obstacles I say for the 582 00:32:04,580 --> 00:32:08,580 advance of the gospel in Philadelphia and yet 583 00:32:08,580 --> 00:32:10,460 the apostle says I will make those who 584 00:32:10,460 --> 00:32:11,980 are the synagogue of Satan who claim to 585 00:32:11,980 --> 00:32:13,520 be Jews though they are not but Eliza 586 00:32:13,520 --> 00:32:16,280 will make them come and fall down at 587 00:32:16,280 --> 00:32:17,920 your feet and acknowledge that I have loved 588 00:32:17,920 --> 00:32:18,120 you. 589 00:32:19,020 --> 00:32:20,440 Don't you realize that the end of the 590 00:32:20,440 --> 00:32:23,760 gospel the end of the gospel journey throughout 591 00:32:23,760 --> 00:32:26,840 this world will come when every knee shall 592 00:32:26,840 --> 00:32:29,520 bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ 593 00:32:29,520 --> 00:32:31,240 is Lord to the glory of God the 594 00:32:31,240 --> 00:32:31,500 Father. 595 00:32:32,420 --> 00:32:34,560 There will be those of Jew and of 596 00:32:34,560 --> 00:32:37,040 Gentile descent who on the day of the 597 00:32:37,040 --> 00:32:38,580 return of the Lord Jesus will want to 598 00:32:38,580 --> 00:32:40,900 hide in the rocks who will want the 599 00:32:40,900 --> 00:32:44,020 waters of the sea to consume them because 600 00:32:44,020 --> 00:32:47,000 our Lord will come to execute judgment upon 601 00:32:47,000 --> 00:32:50,640 this world every knee shall bow the knee 602 00:32:50,640 --> 00:32:54,160 of Saddam Hussein the knee of George Bush 603 00:32:54,160 --> 00:32:56,740 the knee of all those who have been 604 00:32:56,740 --> 00:32:59,640 rebellious against the purposes of God in generations 605 00:32:59,640 --> 00:33:00,500 gone by. 606 00:33:01,540 --> 00:33:12,490 Jesus the Lord of the 607 00:33:12,490 --> 00:33:16,290 church at Philadelphia since you have kept my 608 00:33:16,290 --> 00:33:19,170 command verse 10 to endure patiently I will 609 00:33:19,170 --> 00:33:21,250 also keep you from the hour of trial. 610 00:33:21,850 --> 00:33:23,990 Here is another great difficulty that is going 611 00:33:23,990 --> 00:33:25,910 to come upon the whole church that is 612 00:33:25,910 --> 00:33:27,590 going to come upon the whole world to 613 00:33:27,590 --> 00:33:29,170 test those who live on the earth. 614 00:33:29,870 --> 00:33:31,210 What is that hour of trial? 615 00:33:32,050 --> 00:33:34,250 Well I've heard some people try and describe 616 00:33:34,250 --> 00:33:36,350 this in terms of a great tribulation from 617 00:33:36,350 --> 00:33:37,630 which the church will be removed. 618 00:33:38,110 --> 00:33:39,610 I personally cannot see that. 619 00:33:40,530 --> 00:33:42,870 What is the greatest trial that men and 620 00:33:42,870 --> 00:33:45,110 women can ever have to undergo? 621 00:33:46,030 --> 00:33:49,650 Well it's the trial that will occur when 622 00:33:49,650 --> 00:33:52,930 men who have not responded to the saving 623 00:33:52,930 --> 00:33:56,850 grace of Jesus Christ are brought before the 624 00:33:56,850 --> 00:33:57,950 bar of his judgment. 625 00:33:58,950 --> 00:34:00,390 That is the greatest trial. 626 00:34:01,050 --> 00:34:03,230 Men and women who have raised their fists 627 00:34:03,230 --> 00:34:04,230 against God. 628 00:34:05,870 --> 00:34:09,550 But that trial is one which will not 629 00:34:09,550 --> 00:34:13,330 have you summoned to the bar to answer. 630 00:34:14,370 --> 00:34:15,150 Why is that? 631 00:34:15,989 --> 00:34:18,429 Well on a hill far away stood an 632 00:34:18,429 --> 00:34:23,409 old rugged cross and there on that cross 633 00:34:23,409 --> 00:34:26,370 died one who takes your sin. 634 00:34:27,310 --> 00:34:29,670 The trial of the Lord Jesus was vicarious 635 00:34:29,670 --> 00:34:30,550 for your trial. 636 00:34:31,510 --> 00:34:33,710 He stands in your place before the bar 637 00:34:33,710 --> 00:34:36,230 of God's judgment and the flesh of God's 638 00:34:36,230 --> 00:34:38,090 wrath is directed against him. 639 00:34:39,250 --> 00:34:44,630 The scud missile against all human sin and 640 00:34:44,630 --> 00:34:48,610 our Lord catches it and suffers the consequences 641 00:34:49,429 --> 00:34:52,929 and as a result there is no trial 642 00:34:52,929 --> 00:34:55,270 for Christian people. 643 00:34:56,270 --> 00:34:59,710 You will not be brought to book on 644 00:34:59,710 --> 00:35:02,390 the day of judgment as far as your 645 00:35:02,390 --> 00:35:05,790 sins are concerned for they have been removed 646 00:35:05,790 --> 00:35:07,210 from the sight of God. 647 00:35:07,810 --> 00:35:09,750 He has hit the delete button on the 648 00:35:09,750 --> 00:35:14,270 computers of heaven and on that day the 649 00:35:14,270 --> 00:35:17,390 church that met at Philadelphia in the first 650 00:35:17,390 --> 00:35:21,350 century and members of the church at Worthing 651 00:35:21,350 --> 00:35:25,910 Tabernacle will not have to appear with the 652 00:35:25,910 --> 00:35:28,110 myriads of the sons and daughters of Adam 653 00:35:29,090 --> 00:35:34,750 they are kept from that judgment the nerve 654 00:35:34,750 --> 00:35:39,830 center of discomfort because of what the Saviour 655 00:35:40,870 --> 00:35:42,430 has achieved for us. 656 00:35:43,310 --> 00:35:45,330 And so the word goes to the church 657 00:35:45,330 --> 00:35:49,070 in Philadelphia and the church in Worthing Tabernacle 658 00:35:49,070 --> 00:35:51,770 as a result of these things since you 659 00:35:51,770 --> 00:35:54,250 have kept my command to endure run with 660 00:35:54,810 --> 00:35:57,170 patience that the race that is set before 661 00:35:57,170 --> 00:35:59,610 you when you know that your sins are 662 00:35:59,610 --> 00:36:02,250 forgiven when you know that your destiny is 663 00:36:02,250 --> 00:36:05,010 with God in the heavenly realm it's going 664 00:36:05,010 --> 00:36:06,890 to affect the way that you live your 665 00:36:06,890 --> 00:36:08,650 ordinary day by day life. 666 00:36:08,830 --> 00:36:10,130 This is what the Christ of the church 667 00:36:10,130 --> 00:36:10,490 has done. 668 00:36:11,150 --> 00:36:12,630 This is why it is an utter nonsense 669 00:36:12,630 --> 00:36:15,770 to attribute authority in a local church to 670 00:36:15,770 --> 00:36:19,550 any ordinary man the authority vests the hands 671 00:36:19,550 --> 00:36:21,730 of him who has the seven spirits and 672 00:36:21,730 --> 00:36:24,710 the seven stars of the church as Jesus. 673 00:36:25,530 --> 00:36:29,030 He is the Lord of the church. 674 00:36:29,690 --> 00:36:32,870 I argue the Lord of the church creates 675 00:36:32,870 --> 00:36:34,790 unbelievable opportunities for ministry. 676 00:36:35,710 --> 00:36:38,490 He influences the nerve centers of problems and 677 00:36:38,490 --> 00:36:41,310 finally the Lord of the church is seen 678 00:36:41,310 --> 00:36:44,030 to be such by consummating the saga of 679 00:36:44,030 --> 00:36:44,490 history. 680 00:36:45,270 --> 00:36:47,470 We've touched on this already we've anticipated it 681 00:36:47,470 --> 00:36:49,290 come to verse 11 I am coming soon. 682 00:36:50,950 --> 00:36:54,070 It's not so much that the message is 683 00:36:54,070 --> 00:36:57,410 given in terms of the immediate time scale 684 00:36:57,410 --> 00:37:00,270 of the Lord Jesus's coming some 2,000 685 00:37:00,270 --> 00:37:02,870 years has gone into history since this vision 686 00:37:02,870 --> 00:37:06,150 was given to John but here we are 687 00:37:06,150 --> 00:37:09,430 to think of the end time and and 688 00:37:09,430 --> 00:37:11,650 the the action of our Lord Jesus this 689 00:37:11,650 --> 00:37:15,430 this perusia this this manifestation of himself it 690 00:37:15,430 --> 00:37:17,410 will happen soon in an instant in a 691 00:37:17,410 --> 00:37:17,810 flash. 692 00:37:18,390 --> 00:37:20,730 Here are men and women and they're cavorting 693 00:37:20,730 --> 00:37:24,150 they are giving and receiving in marriage there 694 00:37:24,150 --> 00:37:28,970 is promiscuity there is profligacy there is living 695 00:37:28,970 --> 00:37:31,430 as though God is not in control and 696 00:37:31,430 --> 00:37:35,770 then dramatically one day he comes and the 697 00:37:35,770 --> 00:37:38,690 whole of the world is is brought to 698 00:37:38,690 --> 00:37:42,990 a state of paralysis the traffic stops human 699 00:37:42,990 --> 00:37:46,030 life as we now know it ceases it 700 00:37:46,030 --> 00:37:48,250 is the end time it is the omega 701 00:37:48,250 --> 00:37:50,510 point behold I am coming soon. 702 00:37:53,380 --> 00:37:57,580 Now if you really believe that what will 703 00:37:57,580 --> 00:37:58,100 you do? 704 00:37:59,200 --> 00:38:02,840 You people who live in this happily entitled 705 00:38:02,840 --> 00:38:07,640 city where brethren love one another what will 706 00:38:07,640 --> 00:38:08,020 you do? 707 00:38:09,380 --> 00:38:13,200 You'll hold on to what you have not 708 00:38:13,200 --> 00:38:16,920 easy at Philadelphia to hold on Philadelphia is 709 00:38:16,920 --> 00:38:21,100 like Los Angeles it's built on an earthquake 710 00:38:21,100 --> 00:38:26,040 fault and in AD 17 there was a 711 00:38:26,040 --> 00:38:30,560 massive destruction the Christians and the rest of 712 00:38:30,560 --> 00:38:37,560 the community later on when there were further 713 00:38:37,560 --> 00:38:41,880 earthquakes were aware of the dangers of living 714 00:38:41,880 --> 00:38:47,360 in Philadelphia the time is coming when God 715 00:38:47,360 --> 00:38:50,120 is going to shake the earth the heavens 716 00:38:50,120 --> 00:38:53,620 and the earth the nations those who risk 717 00:38:53,620 --> 00:38:56,680 who lift their clenched fists against him he's 718 00:38:56,680 --> 00:39:00,020 going to shake it it's the biblical way 719 00:39:00,020 --> 00:39:02,680 of speaking of the end of all things 720 00:39:02,680 --> 00:39:05,600 now with that in mind you hold on 721 00:39:05,600 --> 00:39:08,440 to what you have why well because of 722 00:39:08,440 --> 00:39:11,380 three things the crown and the pillar and 723 00:39:11,380 --> 00:39:12,920 the name so that no one will take 724 00:39:12,920 --> 00:39:15,220 your crown what is that meant well obviously 725 00:39:15,220 --> 00:39:17,660 it's what does it mean it's symbolic language 726 00:39:17,660 --> 00:39:20,920 the crown is what the Lord gives those 727 00:39:20,920 --> 00:39:24,500 who live righteously in view of his coming 728 00:39:24,500 --> 00:39:28,080 the way that they expend themselves the time 729 00:39:28,080 --> 00:39:30,240 that they invest in the kingdom of God 730 00:39:30,240 --> 00:39:32,120 the money that they give the prayers that 731 00:39:32,120 --> 00:39:35,660 they offer the lifestyle that they assume hold 732 00:39:35,660 --> 00:39:40,280 on to your crown so that when when 733 00:39:40,280 --> 00:39:44,420 he comes not only will you enter into 734 00:39:44,420 --> 00:39:48,180 the fullness of salvation but you will receive 735 00:39:48,180 --> 00:39:52,760 from him the well done you good and 736 00:39:52,760 --> 00:39:56,160 faithful servant here's the apostle Paul a man 737 00:39:56,160 --> 00:39:58,060 who too perhaps is coping with senility I 738 00:39:58,060 --> 00:39:59,820 don't know but he dashes off a letter 739 00:39:59,820 --> 00:40:02,200 to to Timothy and he says I'm at 740 00:40:02,200 --> 00:40:04,160 the end of the course I finished it 741 00:40:04,160 --> 00:40:07,620 I've kept the faith henceforth there is laid 742 00:40:07,620 --> 00:40:09,100 up for me a what a crown you 743 00:40:09,100 --> 00:40:11,860 see a crown of righteousness that crown it's 744 00:40:11,860 --> 00:40:13,720 been before Paul throughout the whole of his 745 00:40:13,720 --> 00:40:16,280 life it's a thing that that has has 746 00:40:16,280 --> 00:40:19,780 has manipulated if you like that has conditioned 747 00:40:19,780 --> 00:40:22,080 the way that he has lived now says 748 00:40:22,080 --> 00:40:25,100 the Lord Jesus the one who is in 749 00:40:25,100 --> 00:40:27,760 charge of the church to the people at 750 00:40:27,760 --> 00:40:31,660 Philadelphia Philadelphia hold on to what you have 751 00:40:31,660 --> 00:40:37,400 don't let anyone take the crown you have 752 00:40:37,400 --> 00:40:41,460 known turmoil and strife but I'll make you 753 00:40:41,460 --> 00:40:43,400 a pillar in the temple of my God 754 00:40:43,400 --> 00:40:47,700 you never remove a pillar a pillar is 755 00:40:47,700 --> 00:40:51,060 that which remains even when earthquakes have been 756 00:40:51,060 --> 00:40:55,020 and gone thus witness the ruins in Asher 757 00:40:55,020 --> 00:40:58,420 minor you see the pillars the temple in 758 00:40:58,420 --> 00:41:00,660 Jerusalem it had its twin pillars it had 759 00:41:00,660 --> 00:41:02,700 that they gave the pillars their own name 760 00:41:02,700 --> 00:41:05,240 and the apostle Paul and Peter they referred 761 00:41:05,240 --> 00:41:07,380 to as the pillars of the church now 762 00:41:07,380 --> 00:41:09,460 this is it in its cosmic setting in 763 00:41:09,460 --> 00:41:12,120 its cosmic significance I will make you pillars 764 00:41:12,120 --> 00:41:14,600 in the temple of my God never again 765 00:41:14,600 --> 00:41:18,560 will you leave it what does the psalmist 766 00:41:18,560 --> 00:41:24,120 say he wants to be in the house 767 00:41:24,120 --> 00:41:27,120 of the Lord forever one thing have I 768 00:41:27,120 --> 00:41:28,680 desired of the Lord that will I seek 769 00:41:28,680 --> 00:41:31,620 after that I may dwell in the house 770 00:41:31,620 --> 00:41:36,380 of the Lord forever you people at Philadelphia 771 00:41:36,380 --> 00:41:40,600 with all the problems that beset you the 772 00:41:40,600 --> 00:41:46,220 opposition party all these myriads of trials sometimes 773 00:41:46,220 --> 00:41:49,240 the shaking of the earth hold on to 774 00:41:49,240 --> 00:41:53,720 your crown I'm making a pillar in the 775 00:41:53,720 --> 00:41:57,920 cosmic temple of my God what's more I'm 776 00:41:57,920 --> 00:42:01,340 giving you a name they knew about names 777 00:42:01,340 --> 00:42:06,760 Philadelphia was renamed twice Caesar helped it after 778 00:42:06,760 --> 00:42:09,000 the earthquake in AD 17 and it was 779 00:42:09,000 --> 00:42:14,180 called the new Caesarea and another Emperor helped 780 00:42:14,180 --> 00:42:16,760 it later on and it was known by 781 00:42:16,760 --> 00:42:20,320 the name of flavors and then it returned 782 00:42:20,320 --> 00:42:24,760 to its original name of Philadelphia Christian people 783 00:42:24,760 --> 00:42:28,600 do you know something God has given you 784 00:42:28,600 --> 00:42:33,320 a new name Jesus says I will write 785 00:42:33,320 --> 00:42:38,020 unto him the name of my God Christian 786 00:42:38,020 --> 00:42:45,100 glory in your name and the name of 787 00:42:45,100 --> 00:42:49,260 the city of my God we're all pilgrims 788 00:42:49,260 --> 00:42:51,740 and strangers going through this world if you 789 00:42:51,740 --> 00:42:54,700 think of yourself as anything but that then 790 00:42:54,700 --> 00:42:59,320 you think on biblically we're like Abraham Abraham 791 00:42:59,320 --> 00:43:05,740 never had any residual place to rest on 792 00:43:05,740 --> 00:43:10,060 this earth though God had promised him a 793 00:43:10,060 --> 00:43:15,380 great land the promises of God to Abraham 794 00:43:15,380 --> 00:43:18,280 as they're interpreted in the New Testament are 795 00:43:18,280 --> 00:43:22,580 a mind-blowing Abraham looks for the city 796 00:43:22,580 --> 00:43:28,040 whose maker and whose builder is God we 797 00:43:28,040 --> 00:43:32,640 are pilgrims going towards the city and the 798 00:43:32,640 --> 00:43:35,880 name of that city is to be upon 799 00:43:35,880 --> 00:43:41,080 your heart and my heart do you have 800 00:43:41,080 --> 00:43:44,720 that passport that indicates the city of your 801 00:43:44,720 --> 00:43:49,760 destination the city of your God and what's 802 00:43:49,760 --> 00:43:54,120 more I will write on him my new 803 00:43:54,120 --> 00:44:01,060 name the name that God has given our 804 00:44:01,060 --> 00:44:05,060 Lord Jesus Christ that is a name that 805 00:44:05,060 --> 00:44:09,940 embraces his children too he is Lord of 806 00:44:09,940 --> 00:44:14,200 Lords he is a King of Kings he 807 00:44:14,200 --> 00:44:18,220 is my Lord he is my King I 808 00:44:18,220 --> 00:44:20,960 am so connected to our Lord Jesus that 809 00:44:20,960 --> 00:44:23,480 there is no power in hell on earth 810 00:44:23,480 --> 00:44:27,880 or in heaven that can stop the relationship 811 00:44:27,880 --> 00:44:33,280 that I have with him hold on to 812 00:44:33,280 --> 00:44:37,780 your crown I'll make you a pillar in 813 00:44:37,780 --> 00:44:40,680 the church of my God I give to 814 00:44:40,680 --> 00:44:47,580 you a new name pay attention did you 815 00:44:47,580 --> 00:44:52,240 hear pay attention he who has an ear 816 00:44:52,240 --> 00:44:56,300 to hear not the whole church this is 817 00:44:56,300 --> 00:45:02,220 singular he you every person here in the 818 00:45:02,220 --> 00:45:07,600 tab the Lord Jesus speaking to you personally 819 00:45:07,600 --> 00:45:12,260 he who has an ear to hear incline 820 00:45:12,260 --> 00:45:15,120 it to me and listen to what I 821 00:45:15,120 --> 00:45:20,320 say I will create new opportunities in ministry 822 00:45:20,320 --> 00:45:23,840 for you I will open an open door 823 00:45:23,840 --> 00:45:27,800 that nobody can shut and even your spiritual 824 00:45:27,800 --> 00:45:32,560 poverty will be no disqualification because the littleness 825 00:45:32,560 --> 00:45:35,160 that you possess of my spirit can be 826 00:45:35,160 --> 00:45:41,540 made into such a power that you'll be 827 00:45:41,540 --> 00:45:46,120 used effectively and efficiently not necessarily in India 828 00:45:46,120 --> 00:45:51,780 not necessarily in Bangladesh but here in Worthing 829 00:45:51,780 --> 00:45:56,360 I will create unbelievable opportunities for ministry I 830 00:45:56,360 --> 00:46:00,520 will influence the nerve centers of problem so 831 00:46:00,520 --> 00:46:02,260 that you'll be able to endure and cope 832 00:46:02,260 --> 00:46:04,040 with all the pressures of life knowing that 833 00:46:04,040 --> 00:46:08,800 ultimately you'll stand safe before me on the 834 00:46:08,800 --> 00:46:12,160 day when I return and as I consummate 835 00:46:13,480 --> 00:46:16,840 you will have a place in the New 836 00:46:16,840 --> 00:46:26,900 Jerusalem the city of my God let's 837 00:46:26,900 --> 00:46:36,840 pray father 838 00:46:36,840 --> 00:46:39,820 you said to Jeremiah when he wanted to 839 00:46:39,820 --> 00:46:42,140 throw in the towel so to speak don't 840 00:46:42,140 --> 00:46:45,140 let go you said the same to Jonah 841 00:46:45,140 --> 00:46:49,280 don't let go and father we need to 842 00:46:49,280 --> 00:46:51,780 hold on some of us don't find it 843 00:46:51,780 --> 00:46:55,780 easy there were problems in our past life 844 00:46:55,780 --> 00:46:58,780 that we've not really reconciled and sometimes we 845 00:46:58,780 --> 00:47:01,600 let the failures of the past bedevil the 846 00:47:01,600 --> 00:47:04,840 opportunities of the present but Lord you tell 847 00:47:04,840 --> 00:47:07,360 us in your word that Jesus can control 848 00:47:07,360 --> 00:47:10,680 the nerve centers of difficulty so Lord we 849 00:47:10,680 --> 00:47:13,100 offer those situations to you right now twiddle 850 00:47:13,100 --> 00:47:15,940 the knobs and set us on the right 851 00:47:15,940 --> 00:47:16,860 course we pray